More about Writing Systems

Writing could also be simply defined as a representation of speech and thoughts through various forms of sound images or graphs. A Writing System then is a conventional and principled way of actualizing activities and thoughts, such as languages, natural science, theology, commerce, and aesthetics.

It is our contention that writing systems are more than a technological tool to languages. Most of our understandings of writing systems are generally confined to linguistics and languages. Close and careful examination of writing systems, from Ethiopic to Vai, from Cretan to Meroitic, from Han'gul to Latin, reveals layers of knowledge beyond language and linguistics. It could be argued that the study of writing systems may provide a new approach to knowledge creations, organizations, and disseminations. Writing Systems are, indeed, rich sources of human intellectual activities, such as history, philosophy, social order, psychology, and aesthetics.

The Quipus knots of the native people in South America, for instance, show parallel features with some of the thought patterns, organizations, and utilizations with the Ancient Egyptian Writing System. Further, the Dravidian Writing System of southern India also appears to share parallelism in shapes or sign structures with the Easter Island Rongo-Rongo Writing System, perhaps suggesting historical continuity between South Asia and the Americas much earlier than the Columbus era.

The Meroitic Writing System of the Kushites in the Sudan uses two or three dots as word separators, just like the extant Ethiopic Writing System, thereby suggesting a link between the two writing systems in the Abbay-Atbara river complex.The Institute for the study of African Writing Systems is established in order to systematically compile, categorize, analyze, and interpret the various forms of writings in Africa. Writing systems are not only facilitators of speech and communication, they are also tools in the creation and utilization of knowledge systems, such as philosophy, astronomy, and numbers.

he Myth...

Historically, the continent of Africa was looked at as the "Dark Continent". It was assumed that Africa was "uncivilized" and "barbaric" and in no way could have developed such complex languages. There were many different writing systems in Africa. The writing systems were and still are, a reflection of various philosophies [thought processes] found in African cultures and civilizations. Language, to an African mind is part of your spirituality. The word spirituality is a way of life based on a society's belief systems and moral values as they relate to a higher being. A spirituality is all of what you define yourself to be and is intertwined with your everyday actions. Your spirituality cannot be separated from your being. Egyptians believed that God is everything and everything is God as did many other Africans, not the idea that God is just in everything. Spirituality is also the relationship between you and your ancestors. When a person dies, the "spirit" returns to a higher being. Your ancestors then become, your link with that higher being. Symbolism is a way of expressing that spirituality through individual aspects of your culture. Therefore spiritual symbolism means your relationship with a higher being and your ancestors who are parts of the higher being through the individual aspects of your culture in everyday life. Much of the text written by Egyptian scribes were attached to a Egyptian spiritual belief.

Amharic

Meroitic Writing System

The Meroitic script is very similar to the Egyptian Writing System. It was used by the Meroe people, a civilization of the Sudan. The system is written from right to left, unlike the Egyptian system which can be written right to left, left to right, and vertically.

Mende Script

This script was used by the Mende people of Sierra Leone. It is not only considered a writing system, it is a work of art.

African Writing Systems: Rock Arts

Among the earliest writing systems of Africa are the engravings and paintings on rocks throughout the continent of Africa. There are over one million such sites in Africa, some as old as 10,000 years. Ancient engravings and paintings on rocks are regarded as Africa's earliest historical documents. The engravings and paintings are meaningful symbols to represent the deeds and imaginations of our ancestors. They are also pointers to aspects of the lives of African peoples during the hunting and gathering age.

Rock art is found in the high plateaus and uplands of Africa, located in caves or cliffs on the edges of the uplands. Deserts such as the Sahara contain much art due to the past wet and green conditions of the desert and the preservation effects of dry air.

Among the most important sites of rock art in Africa are:
1. The Sahara: Tassili N'Ajjer of Algeria, Southern Morocco, Fezzan, Libya; Nir and Te'ne're' of Niger; Tibesti of Chad; and Dhar Tichitt of Mauritania.
2. Eastern Africa: Tanzania and Highlands of Ethiopia.
3. Southern Africa: Orange Free State, the Vaal river, Transvaal, and the Cango caves of the Cape region.

African rock art can be categorized into five periods:
Giraffe: 30,000 to 9,000 years ago
Bubalus (Buffalo, Elephants, Rhinoceros): 9,000 to 6,000 years ago
Ox: 6,000years ago
Horse: 6,000 years ago
Camel: 2,500 years ago

Rock engravings are usually performed in softer sandstone by striking with hammer made of stone in order to generate grooves and depths of incisions. The rock pictures suggest a wide range of meanings and interpretations. Some are distinctively spiritual and others are depictions of athletic prowess or hunting skills. It is important to take into consideration the social and cultural context of the arts when interpretations are being made.

Paintings are done in either single color or multiple colors. Red and brown colors are produced from Iron oxide, white is produced from kaolin, animal droppings, and Zinc oxide, whereas the color black is produced from charcoal, ground bones, smokes and burnt fat. Brushes are made of animal hairs.

Figure I shows exquisite carvings of a giraffe carved into the desert sandstone 9,000 years ago in the Sahara desert in Niger. Researchers report the giraffe carvings of Niger from the Trust for African Rock Art. Special edition appeared in the National Geographic Magazine of June 1999.

1.Adesoafo
2.Akokora wakoa kura poma
3.Nea oda ayanya nea oda whe fam
4.Oso atudru nom taawa
5.Obaakofo a owere aduru

1.Nwhiren
2.Dua aba
3.Adobe aba
4.Abrow ahaban a wakyekyere
5.Dua nhin a etoa mu

1.Ohene kera konmuade
2.Ohene kera konmuade

Akan Symbols in Animal Form

3.Esono
4.Sebo
5.Onanka akyere nwam